My story
If we’re going to work together, let’s get to know each other. I’ll go first.
I started out as a comedy writer, then advertising copywriter, then agency Creative Director. That experience taught me how to align with an audience mindset to influence their decisions. A practice I’ve refined over the years to apply to every audience, from prospects to customers to employees to investors.
It took a few years to understand why sales and marketing wouldn’t solve for business challenges like a product not keeping up with consumers’ evolving needs or a business that’s operationally clogged.
I began applying these lessons when I became COO, and later partner, in an early stage CRM tech company. That was literally an eye opener; with endless days and sleepless nights. Pressure on top of pressure. I loved it. We grew that company 10X.
When it was time for my, “what’s next”, I was battle ready and equipped with the tools to create the conditions for success for others. Specifically, working with entrepreneurs to build their businesses. I loved that work, too.
In a tense meeting with the executive team of a global imaging technology company, I jolted them with the perspective that market conditions won’t be the reason for their failure. It will be their leadership. That was followed by the longest awkward silence you can imagine. Could have gone either way. Fortunately, it led to working with their entire management team to successfully shift direction from stagnating sectors to where the market was heading.
On another occasion, a national grocery retailer had to make expensive, dramatic moves to take control of their sprawling multi-brand portfolio. Setting up a war room at their offices, I built over 70 individual store business plans that gave them the confidence, and board approval, to hit the ‘go’ button. Resulting in an additional $35M in revenue that came in a few months earlier than forecast.
When a self-storage start-up asked for an investor proposal to raise capital, I re-engineered their approach for the right investors. Big financial institutions who understood real estate investment models. The new plan raised $40M in direct funding and a line for another $60M. In a scene from The Candidate (old movie reference), when they got the deal signed, they called me into their office and asked, “Now what”? I wrote their operations plan, hired management and continued to support them through their growth and exit.
After one of the partners from that start-up cashed out, I signed on as President of his new Private Equity firm. Many plans evaluated, some deals done and stories to share. Remind me to tell you about the time we were flying a group of investors back from a charity golf tournament when the plane’s engine caught fire. Anyway, after a few good years in the funding game, I took a break.
It ended up being a short break. I was back at it, advising and consulting tech company founders and entrepreneurs. Bringing their ideas from the napkin to the whiteboard to the pitch to the plan, and working with them to build their companies. Putting in place the operational processes. Guiding strategy and market focus. Providing perspective and priorities, because there is always an order of things. Inspiring product creation and energizing sales.
My story continues. Maybe with you. Okay, your turn. Let’s hear your story.